Should You Get a Special Education Teaching Degree?

A career in special education often starts with passion.

"For many, it's more than a job," said Dr. Danny Tanguay, academic dean of education and first year experience at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). "It's a calling, and one that transforms lives, offering profound fulfillment."

Tanguay has worked as a teacher, headmaster and education director throughout his career, and holds a PhD in Educational Leadership. If you want to work with students who need extra support, he said studying special education can equip you with impactful teaching strategies and prepare you for roles both inside and outside the classroom.

What Does a Special Education Degree Teach?

What you'll learn from a special education teaching degree depends on the exact degree that you plan to pursue.

At SNHU, a Master of Education (MEd) with a concentration in Special Education includes the required coursework for all MEd students, plus three focused courses:

• "Assessment of Student Performance"
• "Expressive Language-Skills and Writing"
• "Executive Function and Study Skills"

Other programs can help you learn more specialized knowledge. For example, you could opt for an MEd with a concentration in Dyslexia and Language-based Learning Disabilities (LBLDs).

Additional courses you might take with this concentration include:

• "Reading Interventions for Students with LBLD"
• "Social-Emotional Competencies and Students with LBLD"
• "Language-Based Learning Environments"

"This program focuses on understanding how students with language-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, learn and succeed with the right support," Tanguay said. "It emphasizes research-based, structured strategies that develop the whole child, specifically in literacy skills, executive functioning, self-expression, and confidence."

You could also pursue a graduate certificate in dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities rather than an MEd. Both options go in-depth to teach you how to identify and appropriately support students with dyslexia and other LBLDs.

"Having this foundation will truly transform how you connect with and affect your learning community," Tanguay said.

Read more about how to help a child with dyslexia in the classroom.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Master's in Special Education?

Here are some roles you could pursue with a master's in special education:

Special Education Teacher

Along with a teaching license, one of these degrees can be a gateway to a career as a special education teacher.

"It's a dynamic role where no two days are exactly the same," Tanguay said. "One moment, you might be helping a student finally grasp a challenging reading strategy and the next, you're collaborating with families and other educators to design tailored supports."

Learn more about how to become a teacher.

Instructional Coordinator

An MEd with a related concentration could also help you become an instructional coordinator or curriculum specialist, according to Tanguay. In this role, you'll plan and develop curricula that meet the needs of all learners.

Educational Specialist

There are also various specialist roles that these programs could help you pursue.

"Roles include positions in behavior intervention, early intervention services or becoming learning specialists in private schools or therapeutic programs," Tanguay said. "Additionally, for those interested in working outside traditional systems, opportunities exist as consultants, IEP advocates or even starting a private practice."

More Possibilities

An MEd in special education or dyslexia and LBLDs could benefit you in a variety of teaching roles when paired with a teaching license, but there are other positions to consider, too.

"Given the blend of education and psychology, the degree can also serve as a foundation for roles in educational policy, nonprofits, or leadership positions like school administration or special education directorship," Tanguay said. "Ultimately, if you're passionate about helping students with learning differences but envision a career beyond the classroom, this degree truly equips you for meaningful and impactful work in a wide variety of settings."

What is It Like to Work in Special Education?

Every role is different, and it's important to remember that each child you'll work with is an individual with unique struggles and strengths. But many in the field take pride in the positive impact they make on the lives of students with diverse needs.

"Working in special education is incredibly rewarding and profoundly impactful," Tanguay said. "While teaching academic content is certainly important, this role is truly about building trust, unlocking hidden potential, and often, acting as an advocate for students who learn differently."

Why Should Every Teacher Study Special Education?

If you're a teacher, this background can help you make a more accessible learning environment that supports all learners. "The core principles of special education, like differentiated instruction, student-centered planning and supportive behavior strategies, are simply excellent teaching practices for all," Tanguay said.

And it isn't only teachers who can benefit. "Honestly, learning about special education benefits everyone in our community, whether you're a classroom teacher, a homeschool parent, a specialist or anyone who works closely with children," Tanguay said.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.